How to Grow Your Customer Base Through Social Media – Webinar Presented by Marketing 360®
Today, so many people are active on social media that every marketing strategy must include tactics to connect with their audience on these platforms. Here is an overview of why social media is important for every business, with tips on how you can use it to grow your customer base.
Slide deck can be viewed here.
Highlights:
Video is increasingly popular on Facebook. It’s easy to consume and tends to get more engagement.
- Keep videos short (10-30 seconds).
- Create some professional videos, but also use short, personal pieces that show the people behind the “corporate veil”.
- Use motion graphics and text overlays, keeping in mind that many people on Facebook view videos without sound.
- Use short, “snackable” pieces of info and data that Facebook audiences can easily digest.
- Respond quickly to any questions or responses to your content.
Instagram is an image based platform where you highlight the visual appeal of your business offering.
- 80% of Instagram users follow at least one business.
- # are a powerful search feature.
- Local businesses should use location tags.
- User-generated content has a 4.5% higher conversion rate.
- Beautiful, intriguing images get more engagement.
- Instagram stories can be formatted and highlighted to stand out for visitors.
LinkedIn is a personal networking platform that works best as one-to-one networking tool.
- Ideal for connecting with business professionals.
- Video content is gaining momentum and is a good way to create “thought leadership” within your network.
- Short, “raw” videos shot on your phone without branding are hot new opportunity on LinkedIn.
- Mix personal and business connections to maximize your reach.
- Thought leadership is what you bring to the network – share your best ideas through videos, blogs, and curated content.
- Use mentions (@mentions) and hashtags to extend your connections.
Snapchat is a newer platform popular with a younger demographic between ages 18-24.
- Use Snapchat stories, context cards and geo-filters to connect with younger audiences.
- Context cards can be used by local businesses to provide info like contact, directions, reviews, and reservations.
- User-generated content can tag products in images and stories.
- Brand exposure comes through sharing location and using geo-filters.
- Geo-filters may include discount codes or promos.
Pinterest is an image based platform popular for crafts, hobbies, and DIY projects.
- Food, decor, craft, fashion are popular topics on Pinterest.
- People looking for “how to” content use Pinterest.
- Create boards based on your business service categories and products.
- Users are more likely to follow brands on Pinterest than other social channels.
- Ecommerce can use buyable Pins as a direct sales channel.
- Any image from your business online can be easily Pinned by users.
Twitter is great platform to share your expertise and curate industry relevant content.
- Hot topics and trending ideas are ideal for Twitter.
- Get more followers by following other Twitter accounts, including influencers with large followings.
- Multiple tweets daily are fine on Twitter – you can’t really tweet too much.
- Twitter is the place for real-time updates.
5 Reasons You Need to Market On Social Media
- It’s where your customers are. Social media is the new TV.
- Social media creates social proof, which draws in new customers and develops trust.
- More people today are getting referrals on social media, with services like Facebook recommendations.
- Social media platforms are, overall, the best channels for creating brand awareness.
- Part of winning market share is a strong presence on social media. If you don’t stay ahead of the trends, your competition will.
